The Hounds trailed for much of the first half, but erased a 16-12 deficit with a 9-0 run capped by Harden’s 3-pointer midway through the half.

After a 3-pointer by Mirabal gave ENMU a 24-21 advantage, the Lions went on their own 9-0 run that included 3-pointers from Hambrick and Walker and they went into halftime with a 40-35 advantage.

A 3-pointer by senior forward Max Carrier gave the Hounds a 47-43 lead with 14 1/2 minutes to play. A dunk by Curtis Wilkinson put the Hounds in front 54-52 at the 11:15 mark, but Commerce scored the next six points and never relinquished the lead.

ENMU kept the game close and pulled to 76-73 on two free throws by Harden with 4:27 to go. King then scored six points in an 11-0 run, including a tip-in and a dunk, that put the game away for the Lions.

Commerce wen 28-for-46 from the field and hit 10-of-16 from 3-point range, while Whitley hitting 4-of-5 and Walker 3-of-3. Meantime, the Hounds shot nearly 60 percent from 2-point range, but were 11-of-32 from beyond the arc.